West Boca Walks Off Against Atlantic For 7A-14 Title

West Boca Bulls celebrate their district title.

West Boca catcher Gary Garcia delivered the winning hit in the bottom of the seventh to give West Boca a 2-1 win over Atlantic for the 7A-14 title.

Bulls second baseman Joe White led off the inning with a single, and senior Vincent Youngross pinch-hit for Busch and laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move White over to scoring position. Looking for the double play, the Eagles intentionally walked Sean Kuchta to face catcher Gary Garcia.

With one out, Garcia came up and delivered a hard hit past the defense bringing in White for winning run from second.  The Bulls executed key small-ball plays to come up with the win in the seventh.

“It was a tough game. We only had six hits and had to scrap some things together,” Our pitching did great. Have to tip your cap to Atlantic’s pitcher Cody Bryant.  He pitched a great and kept us off balance all game,” West Boca Manager Nick Siano said.  “We got the hit when we needed in the seventh which shows that our ball club never gives up.  We couldn’t have executed the small play any better in the seventh.  Plays like that will allow us to go far.”

Both teams showed a lot of energy and intensity throughout the entire game.  The Eagles struck first by scoring in the first inning.  Bulls starting pitcher Brad Busch started the game a little shaky, walking the Eagles first two hitters, shortstop Bobby Bourque and right fielder Joey Channesian.   With two runners on, Eagles starting pitcher Cody Bryant hit an RBI double down the left field line scoring Bourque from second. 

After the first three hitters, Busch zeroed in and made good pitches, and got the next three hitters out recording two strikeouts and only allowing one run. 

The Bulls came right back and added some pressure to the Eagles starting pitcher Bryant.  Bulls leadoff hitter, center fielder Mike Mule, started the inning with a walk. After recording the first out, Bryant loads the bases with a walk to pitcher Brad Busch and a hit by pitch to first baseman Sean Kuchta.  With bases loaded, Bryant was able to leave them loaded with a force-out play at the plate by the defense and a strikeout.

Busch came back in the second inning making better pitches and retired all three Bulls in a row with the help of his defense.  Bulls got right back to where they left off in the first by getting two hits by third baseman Chris Busch and Mule.  The Bulls were able to score a run and tie the game on a defensive misplay by the Eagles defense.

Cody Bryant zeroes in.

With one out and the Eagles threatening in the third inning, the Bulls brought in relief pitcher Angelo Dovas from right field.  Dovas was able to get the next two outs with a force out at second base and a fly ball to left field.

“Our defense definitely had my back all game.  Atlantic had a few hard shots but our defense was able to make plays,” relief pitcher Angelo Dovas said.  “I felt good tonight and have to give credit to our catcher, Gary, for helping me feel comfortable.  Glad we were able to pull this off.  All our seniors deserve it.”

The Eagles’ Bryant pitched a strong game, going six innings only allowing one run and striking out three.  He settled down and battled all game keeping his team within reach of the championship by throwing four shutout innings after the Bulls scored a run in the second. The Bulls’ Navos responded as well coming in relief in the second inning throwing four and two-thirds shutout innings and allowing his team to have a chance to win the game.

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